Mercury Marine voices concern over EPA’s Renewable Fuel Standard Mandate announcement

FOND DU LAC, Wis. (May 31, 2015) – Mercury Marine has joined NMMA and others voicing their displeasure at the recent announcement of the proposed annual Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) mandates released by the EPA.  If passed, there will be an increased availability of E15 in the marketplace.  In addition, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is planning to inject $100 million in funding to get more ethanol at the gas pump.

“Providing consumers with an option to use E15 in their marine engines is harmful and poses a safety hazard,” said Lee Gordon, Mercury Marine director of public relations. “We will continue to remind our customers that safety should be the number one priority out on the water, and giving boaters the option of using E15 without properly educating them on the safety hazards is irresponsible.  We applaud the NMMA and others who continue to fight against the expansion and promotion of E15 in the marketplace.”

“The three year combined rule released by the EPA today marks yet another step backwards with regard to the Renewable Fuel Standard, said NMMA in a statement. “The RVOs announced will make it increasingly difficult for consumers to obtain low-ethanol and ethanol-free fuel blends required to run many engines successfully,  and will further promote the expansion of E15—a known harmful fuel to marine and off road engines.”

According to the NMMA, 97 percent of boaters fill up at gas stations where there is very little warning about the effects of E15 on marine engines. EPA will now be re-proposing the 2014 mandate, and for the first time proposing the annual mandates for 2015 and 2016.

Source: Mercury Marine